Any opinion on Sigma 170-500mm APO f/5-6.3?

[Massao]

I wonder if anyone has used Sigma 170-500mm APO f/5-6.3? Its an old lens from early 2000's probably.

I have Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG (older version without OS and HSM) and its an “ok” lens at the longer end. So, I wonder, how is the 170-500mm? Is it better or worse in sharpness and contrast at the longer end?

 

[Dana F]

I had the 170-500 for several years and enjoyed using it. Colors are a bit cool, has some zoom creep, softer at the long end but sharpens up in post. Swapped mine out for a 400mm prime.

 

[KentG]

Had mine during my film days with a ZX-5n. It was OK, softer at the long end. I used it during a few vacations and a couple of motorsports events. Sold it after a couple of years ,when I switched to the Minolta Maxxum 9 system which was the last film system I used.

Kent Gittings

 

[kypfer]

I've got the APO 150-500mm DG OS HSM, bought second-hand about a year ago and for what I want it's virtually perfect. Most of my photography these days is wild birds, so I really appreciate the reach of a 500mm, and to give a degree of leeway for focussing it's usually used at f/8. I found my lens was actually focussing just beyond the chosen subject matter and needed a "Fine Focus Adjustment" from within the Custom Menus on my K-70.

One proviso : f/6.3 is getting towards the limits of the autofocus system, so any apparent unsharpness may be down to the camera not "getting it quite right", often in less than optimal lighting.

I've recently tried a couple of comparison tests against a 400mm f/5.6 (actually a 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x) and I get the impression the f/5.6 lens allows the camera to "lock on" just that much quicker and accurately. Of course, no two action shots are quite the same and the ergonomics of the two lenses are different, so there are some variables to consider.

 

[Massao]

I had the 170-500 for several years and enjoyed using it. Colors are a bit cool, has some zoom creep, softer at the long end but sharpens up in post. Swapped mine out for a 400mm prime.

Hmm. I might have to do the same with my Sigma 50-500mm. Not satisfied with its results so far.

 

[Massao]

Had mine during my film days with a ZX-5n. It was OK, softer at the long end.

Thanks for feedback; pity:-(

...when I switched to the Minolta Maxxum 9 system which was the last film system I used.

In my experience, the best legacy lenses I have used were by Nikon and Minolta. Minolta always had a very high standard of optical quality, even in the cheapest kit lenses.

 

[Massao]

I've got the APO 150-500mm DG OS HSM, bought second-hand about a year ago and for what I want it's virtually perfect.

Many thanks for feedback. I guess the optical formula in the older version I have must have been improved in the newer version with OS and HSM.

 

[kypfer]

I've got the APO 150-500mm DG OS HSM, bought second-hand about a year ago and for what I want it's virtually perfect.

Many thanks for feedback. I guess the optical formula in the older version I have must have been improved in the newer version with OS and HSM.

Quite possibly, but the point I was trying to make (and obviously failed miserably) was that there are a couple of other factors which can affect the performance, specifically that the autofocus can struggle with an f/6.3 lens under some conditions and also that the lens may need to be calibrated to the body, using the AF Fine Adjustment, if you have that facility on your camera

Just trying to help

 

[Massao]

I've got the APO 150-500mm DG OS HSM, bought second-hand about a year ago and for what I want it's virtually perfect.

Many thanks for feedback. I guess the optical formula in the older version I have must have been improved in the newer version with OS and HSM.

Quite possibly, but the point I was trying to make (and obviously failed miserably) was that there are a couple of other factors which can affect the performance, specifically that the autofocus can struggle with an f/6.3 lens under some conditions and also that the lens may need to be calibrated to the body, using the AF Fine Adjustment, if you have that facility on your camera

Just trying to help

Many thanks Yes, you are right. I need to test my Sigma 50-500mm lens further before giving up on it Have'nt had the "wow" feeling with any pic I took with it so far :-( Not sure if AF can be calibrated on my K-30; I'll look into it; thanks